Let's Move to Grandfather's House
The doljanchi had wrapped up without a hitch. As the warm afternoon sun bathed everything in a gentle glow, drowsiness came crashing over me like a wave. There was no escaping the trial of a nap in this baby body of mine.
"Uuung…."
"Is our Seoyeon sleepy?"
"Uuung…."
Mom's embrace was as warm as ever. Once I burrowed in, I never wanted to leave.
Damn, I can't just sleep like this….
My mind screamed that this was the most crucial moment, but my body wouldn't listen.
"Is Seoyeon falling asleep?"
Chairman Han Seongcheol approached Mom's side. He gazed at me with eyes full of affection.
"Who'd believe she's not the one and only daughter of the Hansung family? Sharp as a tack."
"I hope we didn't commit any faux pas…."
Ever since I'd seized the Hansung family flag, my parents had started watching everyone else's reactions. And for good reason—this gathering included not just our immediate family, but all of them: the eldest son down to the third, every last member of the Hansung clan.
The eldest, Han Umin. The second, Han Yujun. The third, Han Suhyeok. And the youngest, my dad, Han Seongu.
Han Umin, currently vice chairman, oversaw the group's operations alongside Grandfather. Han Yujun handled shipbuilding and petrochemicals, while Han Suhyeok managed the machinery division. Only my dad had recently been handed the food company—and barely at that.
"So, how's Seongu faring these days?"
"Yes, sir. Seongu is giving his all, living up to your expectations."
Mom couldn't bring herself to call Grandfather "Father" in public; she stuck to the formal "Chairman." It was a wise choice, really. Chairman Han Seongcheol demanded a clear line between family and business, even with his own kin.
"When Seongu arrives later, have him come see me privately. There's something I need to tell you all."
"Yes, sir."
He stared at me intently for a moment, then left to greet the doljanchi guests.
This could be big for our family.
Chairman Han Seongcheol didn't summon busy people on a whim. There was definitely something important brewing.
What could it be?
I couldn't pursue the thought any further. A baby's body demands full rest after the slightest strain.
Zzz….
Mom smiled at my sleeping form and sang me a lullaby in the most beautiful voice in the world.
Bukchangdong Mansion, Seoul.
Chairman Han Seongcheol set down his newspaper and called to the man standing rigidly at attention beside him.
"Hey, Woo Shijang."
"Yes, Chairman."
Woo Shijang was the key figure who had built Hansung Group alongside Chairman Han Seongcheol. Despite his title of director, his authority was second only to the chairman's. Even the chairman's children treaded carefully around him.
"What do you make of our Seoyeon?"
Woo Shijang replied without hesitation.
"The young miss is exceptionally intelligent."
"Intelligent, you say?"
"Yes. Her performance at the doljanchi… Do you remember, sir?"
"Of course! How could I forget my granddaughter's adorable feat?"
The bold image of his granddaughter grabbing the Hansung Group flag during the doljabi ceremony reminded him strikingly of his own youth. Any other child would have hesitated, but she snatched it without a second thought—and it set his heart racing.
As everyone knew, Hansung Group followed primogeniture. Chairman Han Seongcheol upheld that tradition.
"Her grabbing the Hansung flag is tantamount to challenging for heirship. The other young masters might not take it lying down."
"You think those whelps would stoop to dirty tricks against a mere infant?"
Woo Shijang couldn't answer. Even the youngest son, Han Seongu, carried the thick Hansung blood. He might have given up everything to marry his beloved "singer girl," but that blood in his veins was eternal and unchanging.
"About Seoyeon…."
"Yes, Chairman."
"You're not one to praise lightly, Woo Shijang. If even you rate her so highly, she must be no ordinary child."
"Indeed, sir. I can say with certainty: Baby Seoyeon is no ordinary girl."
The doljabi setup had placed the Hansung Group flag over two meters away. For a one-year-old to fixate on and reach such a distant object meant one thing: Han Seoyeon had wanted that flag, whether by instinct or design.
"Remember what that Hyundai chairman said? 'If there's a special child, awaken them young. That's how I learned.'"
"Understood."
Woo Shijang, ever perceptive, grasped the chairman's intent. As head of strategic planning, he simply executed as directed.
"I'll arrange for Baby Seoyeon to stay at your residence."
"Good man. That's exactly it. Kuhahaha!"
A genuine smile of satisfaction spread across Chairman Han Seongcheol's face for the first time in ages.
"Honey, let's move!"
Dad suddenly announced we were relocating. Leaving this perfectly fine house? Did chaebols really have money to burn?
But I never dreamed the destination would be Grandfather's Bukchangdong Mansion.
I peered up at the nanny with my delicate eyes. She must have seen me as a helpless kitten thrust unwittingly into the world.
"Baby, it seems things are going smoothly for our family, doesn't it?"
Nanny, is this really good?
Without being asked, she explained readily.
"It's the first time the Chairman has invited even his own child to live together in the Bukchangdong Mansion. We only gather for special events or holidays anyway."
And even those holidays had skipped lately due to "busyness."
Ah!
I suddenly recalled never reading about Chairman Han Seongcheol living with his children in his autobiography.
But I soon grew sullen. Grandfather had huge expectations for Dad. The ramen venture at Hansung Food might be his test for him.
Acing it could mean a massive reward. Failing? Total loss.
I vaguely understood why Hansung Food vanished. It wasn't just business failure—it was the result of Dad's trial.
Back then, ramen wasn't yet a cultural staple; it was merely a hunger-fighter. Right after the Korean War, with wheat and rice prices skyrocketing from the aftermath, the government pushed mixed-grain policies using U.S. aid wheat to curb rice consumption and promote alternatives. Ramen was one such product.
Massive U.S. wheat influx. Government push for wheat consumption. Perfect storm, really.
I flashed an innocent, beaming smile like any child would. The nanny smiled back.
"Baby must be thrilled to go to the Chairman's mansion. He adores you so much."
Of course. I'd barely reincarnated as the chaebol's only daughter—failing to leverage that would make my top-of-class Seoul Uni past life weep.
The move happened in a flash. I stared blankly at the Bukchangdong Mansion.
Was this just a "mansion"? It was a palace. The grounds dwarfed a school playground, dotted with the main building and several annexes. Overwhelming at a glance.
Whoaaa!
So this is what a chaebol chairman's residence looks like.
"Welcome, Youngest Young Master."
"Woo Shijang…."
Dad shook hands with the man called Woo Shijang. We were escorted straight to the main building.
Dozens of servants lined up on either side, bowing deeply.
"We welcome the Youngest Young Master!"
"Hahaha…."
Dad scratched his head sheepishly. It felt like a king's procession.
Grandfather was already waiting in his study.
"You've arrived."
"Yes, Father."
"Sit here with our baby. We need to talk. Seoyeon, wait outside for a bit."
While my parents spoke with Grandfather, I stayed quietly in the vast living room with the nanny, watching for cues. Servants bustled about.
"You must be Seoyeon's nanny."
Woo Shijang approached us. His gaze toward Dad had been soft, but to the nanny, it was icy.
She froze, unsure how to respond. I'd heard of Woo Shijang from Hansung Group—said to wield terrifying power, enough to make birds fall from the sky. No wonder; he showed that authority even to a nanny.
It laid bare the mansion's ruthless hierarchy and rules.
"Hmmm…."
Woo Shijang stared straight at me. I flashed a bright, flower-bud smile, pure as any child.
"Nah, couldn't be…."
He muttered to himself and headed toward the study where Grandfather and my parents were.
"Phew, Baby. My heart nearly stopped."
The nanny pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her brow furiously.
"They say Woo Shijang can send key executives to heaven or hell with a flick of his finger. It's legendary."
That much power?
I'd heard he was the shadow power broker of Hansung Group, but deciding executives' fates? News to me.
About two hours later, Mom and Dad emerged from the study. Mom scooped me up right away.
"Is our Seoyeon hungry?"
Nod nod!
"Shall we go eat something delicious?"
Oooh!
Finally, chaebol-level feast time. Perfect timing too—I was transitioning from baby food to rice.
Honestly, I could've eaten solids ages ago but played it cool. No need to show off.
Just as we settled for a cozy family meal, urgent footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Who's that?
A white-haired man in thick horn-rimmed glasses dashed toward Grandfather's study.
"You two, watch Seoyeon for a moment. I'll see what's going on."
"H-Honey…."
Dad knew him too, apparently, and followed after.
The mood had turned tense.
"What?! You dare spout such nonsense now?!"
Grandfather's sharp roar thundered through the mansion.